Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif opened up about the struggles of T20 vice-captain Shubman Gill ahead of the third T20 match of the ongoing series against South Africa. Kaif said that the team management and head coach Gautam Gambhir should drop Gill from the playing eleven and consider bringing in Sanju Samson.
Gill has come under criticism after another failure in the South Africa series. He scored four runs in the opening match, then was out on the very first ball in the second match. His failures have increased the pressure on India’s T20I vice-captain. Questions are being raised about his place in the playing eleven and his ability in the format.
I think it’s time to give Shubman Gill a break – Mohammad Kaif
During the YouTube live session, Mohammad Kaif said that Shubman Gill needs to be dropped from the T20I lineup. Kaif said that Gill tried many methods but he kept getting out in the same way. He said that Sanju Samson has consistently performed well but he was not given enough opportunities.
“Look at the way he is getting out, getting caught at slip, stepping out and mistiming, trying aggressive strokes like Abhishek Sharma and getting caught. He has tried everything. I think the time has come to give him a break and try players who have proven themselves,” Kaif said.
He said, “Sanju Samson is a top quality player; he has not got enough chances. There should not be double standards. Even vice-captains have been removed in the past. If it is in the interest of the team to rest Gill and bring in someone else, then there is nothing wrong in that.”
Sanju Samson relegated to the bench without consistent chances – Mohammad Kaif
The 45-year-old pointed out that players like Yashasvi Jaiswal have already been sidelined and Sanju Samson has been kept on the bench despite performing exceptionally well as an opening batsman. Kaif said that Samson deserves more chances.
Kaif further said, “But now it feels like the time for change has come. You dropped players like Jaiswal, you kept Sanju Samson on the bench without giving him consistent chances, even though he scored a lot of runs as an opener.”
He said, “He scored three centuries in five T20 innings, which no one has done in history. Some players get very few chances, while others get long runs because you want to establish them in the team. It is clearly visible. But now, I think the pressure has increased so much that somewhere it is time for a change.”
Shubman Gill’s struggles raise questions over India’s T20I opening plans
Shubman Gill’s return to India’s T20I setup was not what the team expected. He made a comeback to this format during the 2025 Asia Cup. Gill has scored only 263 runs in 14 matches at an average of 23.90, with his best score being 47.
His selection at the top has also pushed Sanju Samson down the order, even though Samson was doing well as an opening batsman with Abhishek Sharma. Despite Gill’s continued poor form, the team management has continued to support him as their first-choice opening batsman.
Overall, Shubman Gill has scored 841 runs in 35 matches, including one century. However, his recent decline raises questions about whether the team should wait for him to click or look at other in-form options.
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